Renaissance Man as Archetype for the Evolving Infection Control ...

Renaissance Man asArchetype for the EvolvingInfection ControlPractitioner*M. Walker RN CIC, *E.A. Bryce MD FRCPC,+J. Horovatica RN, +S. Kalenic MD PhD*Vancouver General Hospital, Canada+Clinical Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

Renaissance ManA person with many talentsor pursuits,especially in thehumanitiesSuch a person lived in theperiod in westernEuropean society ofintensified classicalscholarship in 14th to 16thcenturies.

Mandate of the Infection ControlPractitioner•Protect the patient•Protect the healthcare worker•Protect the community at largeDo this in a cost effective manner

Practice and ProfessionalStandardsSurveillanceEducation and ConsultationPolicy and Procedure DevelopmentQuality Improvement

Surveillance - Basic Elements• Ongoing systematic collection of data• Analysis and interpretation of data• Evaluation of data• Timely dissemination of data• Establish clear criteria• Establish endemic baseline rates• Identify outbreaks

Implementing Surveillance• Assess the component parts of the institution• Plan you methods of surveillance• Take a consistent approach• Determine specific data for collection• Prioritize outcomes for surveillance

Finding Data• Patient’s s chart on nursing unit• Kardex• Staff caring for patient including physician• Health Records Department• Microbiology laboratory• Patient• Patient’s s family

Outbreak Investigation• Baseline endemnicity – confirm if outbreak isreal• Who, what, when, where, why• Literature review• Organism’s s habitual reservoir• Case control study

What data???• Demographics• Relevant medicalhistory• Clinical signs andsymptoms• Laboratory data• Risk factors, includingprocedures, in situdevices• Antibiotic usage

Who Collects Data• The ICP --- active surveillance, good!• Clerical support --- staff may be useful• Ward staff --- passive surveillance, not so good• Physicians' offices ---used on occasion• Collaboration with other departments -- useful• Funded research projects

Education & Consultation• For staff:Orientation for new employeesSpecific topicsOn requestInstigated by Infection ControlResponse to international eventsCommunity health concernsSignageIntroduction of new products

Education and Consultation(con’t)• For patients• For family and visitors• For community at large• For IC colleagues• For self

Education for ICP• Basics, RN RT BSc.• ICP training through established programmes• ID, MM, Grand Rounds• Computer training• Certification• College campus courses• Educational conferences• Mentoring

Policy and ProcedureDevelopment• Committee work• Regulatory bodies• Construction• Supplies and equipment• Employee and Occupational Health• Communicable disease reporting

Additional ICP Activities• Research• Quality assurance• Risk management• Product evaluation• Audits

Laboratory Support• Role in diagnosing hospital-acquired infection• Important information forsurveillance• Importance of proper specimencollecting• Importance of diagnosticinformation for lab.• Importance of ongoingcommunication to lab.

Qualities of the ICP• Broad experience in healthcare• Good “people person”• Excellent communicator• Highly motivated, self starter• Critical thinker• Committed to on-going learning• Reliable• Leadership abilities• Team player

Challenges• Be prepared for change• Constant growth and learning• Understanding and commitment• Maintain consistent philosophy and logic• Strive to work collaboratively• Maintain a high profile• Take the initiative in communicating

The Renaissance ICP• Collegiality• Professionalism• Ability to maintain confidentiality• Willingness to learn• Ability to embrace change• Continual rebirth